Tips to keep your PC running smoothly

1. Run scandisk and defragment your disk at least once a month
   this action will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. Alternatively purchase Utility Software such as Norton Utilities


2. Backup any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives.
   So backup your data to floppies, Zip Disk, CDR etc.


3. Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use. If you use Windows Me or Windows XP then you should have more than 200 MBs of free space on your C: drive.(1 GB recomended)
   If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow.



4. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer. They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace).
   All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up.
   Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.


5. Check your PC from virus infected regularly. Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Kapersky Antivirus, Avast,etc
   The second best thing is to use is the free online virus checker Housecall provided by Trend Micro.


6. Never unplug peripherals such as printer, scanner, from the computer when it is powered up. Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard.


7. Use UPS (uninteruptable power supply)for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.
   An UPS is far superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any power type of disaster


8. Never,turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down.


9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer.